International Student Loans

InternationalScholarships.com has partnered with the leading providers of international student loan programs to provide students around the world with financial aid options to fund their education abroad. Through this site, you will gain access to the only loan comparison tool designed specifically for international students. Simply enter your information into the loan widget and you will see the loan options that are available to you. There are numerous lenders who are currently providing financial aid to international students, and more will be added as time goes by so start searching today!

Find My Student Loan

Select Yes if you are a US Citizen or US Permanent Resident

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an International Student Loan?

International Student Loans are specialized private education loans that are available for international students who are studying in the USA or Canada.

There are also loans for US students studying abroad.

How do I apply for a student loan?

You can compare lenders and start the process online. You can begin the process by using the loan comparison tool on this page or visit International Student Loan. This will allow you to check if there is a lender with a suitable loan program for you.

How long does the process take?

You can find out if a lender has a loan option for you within 10 seconds. Full approval can be as quick as a few weeks.

Who is eligible to apply for international student loans in the US?

Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who are attending an eligible U.S. college or university.

Most borrowers will need a credit-worthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to join their application. There are certain loan providers that do not require a cosigner or collateral for which you may be eligible to apply.

Who is eligible to apply for student loans in Canada?

Students who are attending an eligible Canadian college or university. A co-signer is not required for most loans in Canada.

Who is eligible to apply for study abroad loans?

Students who are US citizens or permanent residents participating in a study abroad program through an approved school in the United States. You must receive credit at your home college or university. Use our loan tool to see if your US school is on the list.

Who is eligible to apply for foreign enrolled loans?

US citizens and permanent residents enrolled at a foreign university if their university is approved for federal loans. To see the complete list of eligible schools check the eligible schools list.

What can international student loans be used for?

International student loans can be used for education-related expenses including your tuition, books, fees, insurance, transportation, room and board and other school-related expenses.

What is the maximum loan amount that I can apply for?

You can apply for up to the total cost of your education, minus any other aid you receive, as determined by your school.

To determine your maximum amount, or what can be included in your loan, you should contact your school's financial aid office. Your school must certify the amount of the loan before the lender will release the funds.

I am neither a US citizen nor a US-permanent resident studying in a destination outside the US, am I eligible for a loan?

Unfortunately not. The loan programs listed here are for international students from anywhere in the world studying in the United States or Canada, or for US students studying abroad. We do not have any options for international students studying elsewhere in the world or in their home country, even with a US co-signer.

What if I get no results in the comparison tool?

If no lenders appear after you use the comparison tool, unfortunately we do not have a loan program for your situation. Our best advice is to contact your school – they should know if there are any loan programs available to their international students.

How much do I pay back and when?

Interest and repayments will depend on the details of the loan and lender you select. Every lender's terms will be different so it is important to do the loan comparison and review the interest rate, annual percentage rate and repayment terms that you are offered.

What if I don't have a co-signer? What if my co-signer is not a US citizen? How can I find a co-signer?

Many international student loan programs, but not all, require a co-signer. If required they must be a US citizen or US permanent resident, with good credit, who has lived in the US for the past two years. Non-citizens or non-permanent residents cannot act as a co-signer.

It's common to ask friends or family members in the US to act as a co-signer. If you do not have anyone who can do this you will want to explore lenders that do not require a co-signer.

Can I apply for an international student loan before being accepted to my school?

You can begin the loan application process prior to being accepted to your school, but you will need to be accepted and in receipt of your student visa to finalize the loan.

What if I need to show proof of funds before I obtain a visa? Can I show this loan as satisfying this requirement?

It's up to the school and consular officer if they'll accept a loan approval as proper funds. You would need to apply for the loan first and state the school you plan to attend. If approved you would use that initial approval to complete your acceptance to the school.

I need proof of funds before I can enroll, can I use loans?

You usually need to be admitted and enrolled, and have your visa in order to apply. Some students are able to use loan approval as proof of funds, but it's the exception rather than the rule. You should speak to your school about this.

My school is not on the list, can I still get a loan?

If your school is not in our eligible school list, then we do not have a loan program for you at this time. Try contacting your school directly to see if they are aware of any loan programs available to their international students.

Are there any deadlines to submit a application?

No, there are no deadlines to submit a loan application. You may apply at any time.

If I got a loan last year, can I apply again?

Yes. You can apply for another loan.